NL2024340B1

NL2024340B1 - Sanitation system and transport method.

Info

Publication number: NL2024340B1
Application number: NL2024340A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Van Zuijlen Johan
Original assignee: Danife B V
Priority date: 2019-11-29
Filing date: 2019-11-29
Publication date: 2021-08-31

Abstract

A sanitation system 9 and a method for transporting such a sanitation system comprising an urinal unit 1 which has a unit body 10 having at least one urinal compartment 11 and at least 5 one urinal unit accessory 2 which has an accessory body 20. An outer shape of the accessory body 20 is adapted to an inner shape of the inner compartment 11 of the unit body 10. A close fit between the urinal unit accessory and the inner compartment of the unit body is obtainable to provide a stable transport assembly. Preferably, the urinal unit is provided with a compartment lock member 14 and the urinal unit accessory is provided with a cooperating 10 accessory lock member 24. Fig. 8

Description

P34147NLOO/KHO Title: Sanitation system and transport method.

The present invention relates to a sanitation system and a method for transporting such a sanitation system. The sanitation system is adapted for temporary use and frequent transport from one to another location. The sanitation system is suitable for a temporary use in an environment where sanitary facilities are limited available, e.g. at city centres, seasonal recreation terrains like a camping or Marina, parking places and construction sites. In particular, the sanitation system is suitable to be used at an outdoor terrain as a sanitary facility for a large crowd of people during an amusement event, e.g. during a music festival or sports event, like a city marathon.

A variety of embodiments of such a sanitation system is known. A widely known configuration of such a urinal unit is a so called Kros urinal unit as disclosed in US Des. 354,122 in the name of Supercross BA. The Kros urinal unit provides multiple urinal compartments on top of a platform. Each urinal compartment is provided with an urinal. The platform has forklift openings at a bottom side which allows the Kros urinal unit to be displaced by a forklift truck. An upstanding wall is provided on top of the platform to provide several privacy separations.

The upstanding wall may delimit four or six urinal compartments. The upstanding wall has opposite positioned sidewalls which delimit each urinal compartment in between them. The upstanding wall is moulded as a one-piece item which beneficially provides a robust structure to the urinal unit. The robust structure may prevent damages due to vandalism.

A disadvantage of the Kros urinal unit is that it has a bulky configuration which limits transport efficiency. A plurality of Kros urinal units can be transported by placing the Kros urinal units side by side on a trailer floor.

This drawback of a lack of transport efficiency also applies to other known sanitation systems which have a similar robust, but bulky structure. A similar sanitation system is for example a so called Uriclean which is branded by a company named Satellite. This sanitation system includes a urinal unit which provides three urinal compartments delimited by a one-piece moulded upstanding wall on top of a platform. Another similar sanitation system is for example a so called PEES which provides six urinal compartments delimited by a one-piece moulded upstanding wall on top of a platform.

2.

CN208251261 U discloses another sanitation system which includes a urinal unit with a similar appearance including an upstanding wall delimiting urinal compartments on top of a platform. However, this urinal unit has a demountable structure. A top portion comprising four partition walls is demountable from a base portion.

In a few steps, the urinal unit can be assembled at a location by mounting the partition walls on top of the base portion. After use, the urinal unit can be disassembled for transport. A drawback of this sanitation system is that the separate items may be demounted by unauthorised people during use. A robust structure of the urinal unit is desired to prevent vandalism during events. Another drawback is that a demounting of the partition walls may be time-consuming for operators.

A so called a ‘Dixi-uri’ urinal unit provides a further improvement to such a sanitation system in which a required transport volume is reduced without demounting parts. A transport volume of a urinal unit is obtained by transforming the urinal unit itself. The urinal unit has a telescopically arranged upper portion. To obtain a transport assembly of the urinal unit, the upper portion is lowered into a lower portion of the urinal unit. Herewith, a total height of the urinal unit is reduced to minimise the required transport volume for transporting a plurality of such urinal units. Urinal units can be stacked on each other for transport. A drawback of this urinal unit is that the upper portion may be lowered during use by an unauthorised person. In practise, another drawback is that this urinal unit appears too heavy to be handled by a single person.

The general object of the present invention is to at least partially eliminate the above mentioned drawback of a lack of transport efficiency and/or to provide a usable alternative. More specific it is an object of the invention to provide a sanitation system including a urinal unit, in particular a multiple compartment urinal unit, which is robust and can be transported in an efficient manner.

Regarding the above-mentioned prior art, it is remarked that any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like included in the present specification is for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention, and is not to be taken as an admission that any such matters form part of the prior art or were before the priority date of each claim of this application common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.

-3- According to the invention, this object is achieved by a sanitation system according to claim 1 which is provided for temporary providing an urinal. The sanitation system comprises an urinal unit which has a unit body. The unit body is provided with at least one urinal. Preferably, the at least one urinal is integrally formed with the unit body, e.g. by moulding. The unit body has an upstanding wall including a left and right side wall which are opposite positioned to each other. The opposite positioned sidewalls together delimit an inner space. The inner space forms a urinal compartment for providing privacy to a user while standing in front of the urinal.

The sanitation system further comprises at least one urinal unit accessory. The urinal unit accessory is a releasable item. The urinal unit accessory is removable from the urinal unit to install the urinal unit accessory as a separate item. The urinal unit accessory is a mobile accessory, like a freestanding handwash station or external tank, which can be installed separate from the urinal unit, e.g. aside or opposite the urinal unit. According to the invention, an improvement is provided in that the urinal unit accessory comprises an accessory body which has an outer shape which fits inside the urinal compartment of the unit body of the urinal unit. The accessory body has a lower portion with an outer shape which corresponds with, in particular substantially equals, an inner shape at a lower region of the urinal compartment. In other words, an outer shape of a lower portion of at least one accessory body is adapted to an inner shape of a lower region of the inner compartment, such that the at least one accessory body closely fits in the inner shape of the inner compartment. In particular, the accessory body has an outer circumferential side which has an outer diameter which is configured to fit in between the sidewalls, in particular in between the urinal, the left sidewall and the right side wall. A transport assembly of the sanitation system can be obtained by placing the urinal unit accessory in the urinal compartment. Advantageously, the transport assembly of the sanitation system is compact and increases transport efficiency in comparison with a sanitation system in which the urinal unit accessory is transported apart from the urinal unit. In comparison with known sanitation systems dead spaces are reduced in the transport assembly. The at least one urinal unit accessory at least partly fills up such a dead space.

-4- Advantageously, by adapting the outer shape of the lower portion of the urinal unit accessory to the inner shape of the urinal compartment, the urinal unit accessory closely fits in the urinal compartment which prevents undesired large tilts, shifts or clashing during transport. In addition, a large volume is available for the configuration of the urinal unit accessory. This may for example contribute to a large inner volume of the urinal unit accessory for storing a liquid. In a preferred embodiment of the urinal unit of the sanitation system according to the invention, the upstanding wall is centrally positioned on top of a platform. Preferably, the upstanding wall is a moulded one-piece item which beneficially provides the robustness to the urinal unit. The upstanding wall forms multiple urinal compartments, e.g. two, three, four, five or six urinal compartments, along an outer circumference of the platform. From a top view, the upstanding wall may be star-shaped, in particular cross-shaped in which the upstanding wall subdivides four urinal compartments. The platform provides a floor area in each urinal compartment allowing a user to stably stand in front of an urinal. Preferably, the platform is rectangular, in particular square, in which each urinal compartment is accessible from a side or corner of the platform. In an embodiment of the sanitation system according to the invention, the accessory body has a lower portion which has an outer shape which substantially equals to an inner shape of a lower region of the urinal compartment. In other words, the outer shape of the lower portion is inversely shaped to the inner shape of the urinal compartment. Particularly, the accessory body has a footprint which substantially equals a floor area of the inner compartment. Herewith, a single accessory body closely fits in the inner space formed by the urinal compartment. In an embodiment of the sanitation system according to the invention, multiple urinal unit accessories combined together form an accessory assembly having a lower portion which has an outer shape which substantially equals to an inner shape of a lower region of the urinal compartment. More than one urinal unit accessories can be positioned in an abutting arrangement to obtain the accessory assembly. Preferably, two urinal unit accessories can be combined side by side to form the accessory assembly. The urinal unit accessory may for example be formed as a cable cover accessory, wherein two cable cover accessories can be combined together forming the accessory assembly to closely fit in the urinal compartment.

So, according to the invention, an outer shape of a lower portion of the accessory body corresponds with an inner shape at a lower region of the urinal compartment, which means that a single accessory body on its own may have the outer shape which substantially equals

-5- the inner shape of the inner compartment or that a combination of at least two accessory bodies together may form the outer shape which substantially equals the inner shape of the inner compartment. Here, the wording substantially implies that practising the concept provided by the invention does not necessitate exact identical shapes of the lower portion of the accessory body and the inner space of the urinal compartment, but that the correspondence in shapes provide a close fit to provide a stable positioning of the at least one urinal unit accessory in the inner compartment of the urinal unit.

In an embodiment of the sanitation system according to the invention, the accessory body has a substantial rectangular cross-section. The accessory body has a substantial rectangular footprint. The rectangular shaped accessory body may be beneficial in building a sanitary wall by placing multiple accessory bodies and urinal units side by side at a rest room area.

In an embodiment of the sanitation system according to the invention, at least one of the urinal compartment and the accessory body comprises at least one lock member for holding the accessory body in the urinal compartment. The at least one lock member is beneficial to prevent the accessory body from falling out of an access opening of the urinal unit and the sanitation system is carried by a fork truck during handling in preparation of a trailer transport.

Preferably, the at least one lock member is positioned at a distance above the platform, e.g. at least 50cm, preferably at the upstanding wall. In comparison with a lock member at a floor area formed by the platform, the lock member at a higher position contributes to prevent a tilt of the urinal unit accessory in the urinal compartment and provides a more stable retaining of the accessory body.

In an embodiment of the sanitation system according to the invention, the at least one lock member is integrally formed with one of the urinal unit or urinal unit accessory. The at least one lock member, preferably a compartment lock member, provides a form closure when the accessory body is placed inside the urinal compartment. Preferably, the accessory body is insertable from above into the urinal compartment of the unit body to obtain the form closure. The accessory body may for example be placed from above behind at least one lock member at the left or right side wall which is the one lock member is positioned close to the access opening of the urinal compartment. The form closure is beneficial in that no separate items, like a tension strap, are required to hold the urinal unit accessory in the urinal compartment of the urinal unit.

-6- In an embodiment of the sanitation system according to the invention, the unit body of the urinal unit comprises a compartment lock member for holding an accessory body in the urinal compartment. Preferably, the compartment lock member is integrally formed with the unit body, in particular integrally formed with the upstanding wall.

In an embodiment of the sanitation system according to the invention, the compartment lock member may be positioned at an urinal. The compartment lock member may be integrally formed with the urinal. In particular, the urinal has a urinal bowl opening which forms the compartment lock member. An accessory lock member is formed as a male locking member to be inserted into the urinal bowl opening.

In an embodiment of the sanitation system according to the invention, the accessory body comprises an accessory lock member for connecting the accessory body in the urinal compartment. Preferably, the accessory lock member is integrally formed with the accessory body. In particular, in the transport assembly of the sanitation unit when the urinal unit accessory is placed inside the urinal compartment, the accessory lock member is adapted to cooperate with the compartment lock member.

In an embodiment of the sanitation system according to the invention, the accessory body is oblong. The accessory body has an outer circumferential side with an outer diameter which is configured to fit in between the left and right side walls, in particular in between the urinal, a first compartment lock member at the left sidewall and a second compartment lock member at the right side wall. The accessory body has a bottom face which is shaped in correspondence with a shape of a floor area in the urinal compartment. The outer circumferential side of the accessory body is preferably provided with an urinal recess for receiving the urinal when the accessory body is placed in the urinal compartment. In particular, the urinal recess extends in a longitudinal direction of the accessory body from the bottom face about a distance at least equal to a height of the urinal in the urinal compartment.

In an embodiment of the sanitation system according to the invention, the compartment lock member is complementary shaped to the accessory lock member. The compartment lock member and the accessory lock member together form a pair of lock members, in particular a pair of a male and a female lock member. The compartment lock member is shaped to cooperate with the accessory lock member. The compartment lock member has a shape which is adapted to engage with a shape of the accessory lock member when the accessory body is placed in the urinal compartment.

-7- In an embodiment of the sanitation system according to the invention, the compartment lock member is a male lock member formed by a protrusion, in particular a lock ridge positioned on the sidewall. The lock ridge is extending in upwards direction along an inner side of the urinal compartment, preferably along an outer edge of the sidewall.

In an embodiment of the sanitation system according to the invention, the compartment lock member is a male lock member formed by a protrusion, in particular a ridge positioned on the urinal. Preferably, the ridge is extending in upwards direction along an outer side of the urinal allowing the urinal unit accessory to be placed from above.

In particular, the accessory lock member is a female lock member formed by lock recess at an outer circumferential side of the accessory body. The lock recess is shaped for receiving the protruding compartment lock member. Advantageously, the shape of the lock members each contributes to an intuitive placement of the urinal unit accessory into the urinal compartment of the urinal unit. The pair of lock members provide a clear indication for a user to intuitively obtain a proper orientation for placement of the urinal unit accessory into the urinal compartment.

According to the invention, a urinal unit accessory may have different appearances. Each urinal unit accessory is configured to function for a different purpose. The urinal unit accessory is of a particular type. A first type of a urinal unit accessory is a urinal unit accessory configured as an external reservoir for a storage of a liquid volume. A second type of a urinal unit accessory is a urinal unit accessory configured as a hand wash station. Other types of urinal unit accessories are conceivable, like a garbage bin, conduit cover for covering a conduit. Preferably, each urinal unit accessory has a moulded accessory body, in particular mould as a one-piece item, in particular made by PE material which provides robustness to the urinal unit accessory which robustness is beneficial in a typical outdoor use of the sanitation system.

In an embodiment of the urinal unit accessory of the sanitation system according to the invention, the urinal unit accessory is an external reservoir which is configured to store a liquid volume originating from the urinal unit. The reservoir is arranged to be placed during use external from the urinal unit. In particular, the reservoir is configured to be placed against a side of the urinal unit or against the side of another urinal unit accessory. Preferably, the reservoir comprises a reservoir coupling member for coupling the reservoir to an adjacent positioned urinal unit accessory or urinal unit. The reservoir has a hollow reservoir body which is fluidly connectable to the urinal unit. Preferably, at least one external reservoir is fluidly

-8- connectable to an internal reservoir of the urinal unit to increase a storage capacity of the sanitation system. In particular, the reservoir body is oblong and has a bottom portion which is provided with at least one reservoir port for connecting a drain hose.

In an embodiment of the urinal unit accessory of the sanitation system according to the invention, the urinal unit accessory is a hand wash station for washing hands. The hand wash station comprises a sink on top of a support body. The support body and the sink may be formed as a one-piece item by moulding. The sink may be equipped with a water tap soap or tissue dispenser etc. The hand wash station is configured to be placed during use external from the urinal unit. In particular, the hand wash station is configured to be placed against a side of the urinal unit or against a side of another urinal unit accessory, such that the hand wash station is in a neighbourhood of the urinal unit.

In an embodiment of the urinal unit accessory of the sanitation system according to the invention, the urinal unit accessory is a garbage bin for collecting garbage. The garbage bin comprises a bin.

In an embodiment of the urinal unit accessory of the sanitation system according to the invention, the urinal unit accessory comprises a lower portion incorporating a conduit cover for covering a conduit. The conduit cover at the bottom side of the urinal unit accessory is beneficial in that the urinal unit accessory can be placed adjacent to a unit body and at the same time covering a conduit extending from that unit body. Neighbouring unit bodies may be interconnected by the conduit, wherein the urinal unit accessory in between the unit bodies covers and shields the conduit for getting engaged by the user.

Further, the invention relates to a urinal unit for a sanitation system according to the invention. The urinal unit comprises a unit body including an upstanding wall. The upstanding wall is preferably centrally positioned on top of a platform. The upstanding wall includes at least two sidewalls which face each other to form an inner space in between them. The inner space defines an urinal compartment for a user to stand in front of urinal. Preferably, the upstanding wall defines multiple urinal compartments. In particular, the upstanding wall has a cross-shaped cross-section defining four urinal compartments.

The unit body includes an improvement in that the unit body further comprises at least one compartment lock member for holding an urinal unit accessory inside the urinal compartment in a transport assembly. Preferably, the at least one compartment lock member is non- releasable connected to the unit body, such that the compartment lock member is always

-9- available. Such a non-removable compartment lock member is beneficial in obtaining a transport assembly in that no separate locking equipment is required which might get lose. Preferably, the at least one compartment lock member is configured to provide a form closure in a lateral direction when a urinal unit accessory is placed in the urinal compartment. Such a form closure is beneficial because additional steps to fasten a placed urinal unit accessory become superfluous. The at least one compartment lock member is preferably integrally formed with the upstanding wall, e.g. by a lock ridge at an outer of the sidewall to enclose a placed urinal unit accessory. The unit body of the urinal unit may be moulded in which the compartment lock member is moulded together with the upstanding wall.

Further, the invention relates to a urinal unit accessory for a sanitation system according to the invention. In particular, the invention relates to a urinal unit accessory formed as a reservoir for externally from a unit body storing a liquid volume or a hand wash station for a hand wash cleaning external from the unit body. To obtain a stable transport assembly, the urinal unit accessory can be placed in a urinal compartment of a urinal unit. An accessory body of the urinal unit accessory has a lower portion with an outer shape which corresponds with an inner shape of the urinal compartment. A close fit is obtained between the accessory body and the inner compartment to prohibit shifting and tilting of the urinal unit accessory during transport.

Further, the invention relates to a restroom area comprising at least one sanitation system according to the invention. The restroom area may comprise multiple urinal units and multiple urinal unit accessories of different types. Advantageously, the sanitation system can be arranged in such a way that urinal units and urinal unit accessories form a sanitary wall at the restroom area. The sanitary wall comprises an array of urinal units in which at least one urinal unit accessory is positioned in between neighbouring urinal units. Such a sanitary wall is beneficial to increase privacy at the restroom area. Further, the invention relates to a method for transporting a sanitation system in a transport assembly. The transport method comprises the step of providing a sanitation system according to the invention. The sanitation system comprises an urinal unit having a unit body with at least one urinal compartment and at least one urinal unit accessory having an accessory body which has an outer shape adapted to an inner shape of the urinal compartment. Due to the matching inner and outer shapes of the unit body and the urinal unit accessory, the urinal unit accessory can be placed in the inner compartment in a stable manner in which a possible shifting and tilting of the urinal unit accessory is minimised. Preferably, each urinal compartment is equipped with a compartment lock member, in

-10- particular an non-releasable, preferably integrally formed compartment lock member. Each urinal unit accessory may be equipped with an accessory lock member. In a step of the method, the accessory body is placed into the urinal compartment to obtain a transport assembly.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method comprises the step of locking the urinal unit accessory to the urinal unit. Preferably, the locking is automatically obtained when inserting the urinal unit accessory into the urinal compartment due to an obtaining of a form closure between the urinal unit and the urinal unit accessory.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the appended drawings show a practical embodiment according to the invention, which may not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention, in which: Fig. 1 and 2 show in a perspective view a sanitary wall formed by a sanitation system in which the sanitation system comprises an array of urinal units and a urinal unit accessory placed in between each neighbouring urinal units; Fig. 3 shows an urinal unit in a perspective view which is when seen from above cross- shaped and providing four urinal compartments; Fig. 4 shows a urinal unit accessory formed as a reservoir; Fig. 5 shows a urinal unit accessory formed as a garbage bin; Fig. 6 shows a urinal unit accessory formed as a hand wash station; Fig. 7-9 show the urinal unit accessories of fig. 4-6 which are insertable the urinal compartments as shown in fig. 3; Fig. 10 shows in a cross-sectional view a lockage by a form-closure of the urinal unit accessory in the urinal compartment of the urinal unit; Fig. 11 shows an enlarged view of the lockage of fig. 10; Fig. 12 shows a further embodiment for locking an accessory inside a urinal compartment; Fig. 13 shows a urinal unit accessory formed a reservoir positioned in between two urinal units; Fig. 14-15 show a liquid interconnection of the reservoir with both urinal units aside the reservoir; and Fig. 16-17 show a flexible hose for interconnecting the reservoir in fluid communication with the urinal unit.

-11- Identical reference signs are used in the drawings to indicate identical or functionally similar components.

Specific features may also be considered apart from the shown embodiment and may be taken into account in a broader context as a delimiting feature, not only for the shown embodiment but as a common feature for all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Fig. 1 shows in a perspective view an embodiment of the sanitation system 9 according to the invention.

The sanitation system 9 is configured to temporary provide at least one urinal.

The sanitation system is a robust system and adapted to be placed at an outdoor terrain at public events, like a music or sports event.

The sanitation system 9 is typically a rental product which can be hired by an event organisation to provide a sanitary provision for a large crowd.

As shown in figures 1 and 2, the sanitation system 9 is formed by a plurality of urinal units 1 and urinal unit accessories 2. Here, the urinal units 1 and the urinal unit accessories 2A, 2B, 2C are together positioned in an array.

A variety of arrangements is possible.

One or more urinal unit accessories 2 can be placed in between a pair of urinal units.

The urinal unit accessories 2 are of different types.

Fig. 3, 4-6 respectively show the urinal unit 1 and some different types of urinal unit accessories 2. Here, a reservoir 2A, a hand wash station 2B and a garbage bin 2C are depicted, but other types of urinal unit accessories are also conceivable, e.g. a coat rack, a cable cover etc.

A urinal unit accessory 2 is an accessory which is configured to be used in combination with the urinal unit 1. The reservoir 2A may form an external tank to the urinal unit to increase a storage capacity of the urinal unit.

The hand wash station 2B is to be used in combination with the urinal unit 1 to allow a user to wash his hands after visiting the urinal unit 1. The garbage bin 2C is to be used in combination with the urinal unit 1 and the hand wash station 2B to allow a user to put away a paper for drying hands.

Fig. 3 shows an urinal unit 1 which has a unit body 10. The unit body 10 has a first, second, third and fourth urinal compartment 111, 112, 113, 114. The urinal compartments 11 are equally arranged around a circumference of the unit body 10. Each urinal compartment 11 is formed by a pair of opposite positioned sidewalls 121, 122 of an upstanding wall 12. Seen from above, the upstanding wall 12 has a cross-shape.

A urinal compartment 11 is provided at each corner of the unit body 10. Each urinal compartment 11 has an entrance at a rear side which entrance may have a door but which entrance is preferably free and open from outside to allow a user without any burden to step into the

-12- urinal compartment. The sidewalls 121, 122 of the upstanding wall 12 delimit an inner space IS which forms the urinal compartment 11. These sidewalls 121, 122 provide privacy to a user when standing in front of an urinal 13 at a front side of the urinal compartment 11.

The unit body 10 has an upper portion formed by the upstanding wall 12 which is manufactured as a one-piece item, e.g. by moulding. Preferably, the upper portion of the unit body 10 is made by rotation moulding, in particular from a plastic material, e.g. HDPE. The upstanding wall 12 provides privacy to a user in the urinal compartment 11. The upstanding wall 12 extends in a height direction from a platform 15. Preferably, the upstanding wall 12 has a height of at least 1,5m. Preferably, the upstanding wall 12 and at least an upper portion of the platform 15 are made as a one-piece item. The one-piece item is beneficial in that it provides a robust structure which may prevent damage by vandalism.

The platform 15 has a rectangular, in particular square, shape. The platform 15 forms a pedestal for a user to stand in front of the urinal 13. The platform 15 provides a stable base to the unit body 10 which is beneficial in an outdoor environment which may have a rough or muddy underground. Forklift openings 151 are provided at a bottom side of the platform 15 which allow the unit body 10 to be easily displaced by a forklift truck.

Further, the upstanding wall 12 has an internal volume which forms an internal reservoir. The upstanding wall 12 may have a constant wall thickness, such that a hollow inner space results forming the internal reservoir. The internal reservoir is centrally positioned in between the surrounding urinals 13. The internal reservoir is positioned at a central region of the platform

15. The internal reservoir is in fluid communication with the at least one urinal 13 and has a capacity for storing urine.

Fig. 4 shows an urinal unit accessory 2 which has an accessory body 20 which is here configured as a reservoir 2A, also called a waste tank, for collecting urine from the urinal unit

1. The reservoir 2A has a hollow accessory body 20. The reservoir is configured to be placed adjacent to the unit body 10 of the urinal unit 1. The reservoir has an oblong shape. The reservoir has a block-shaped lower portion 21 and a bevelled, in particular roof shaped, upper portion 22. Although the reservoir has a relative small footprint and a relative height centre of gravity, a stable arrangement is obtained due to the combination of the urinal unit 1 and the reservoir. The urinal unit 1 supports the reservoir in a lateral direction.

Fig. 5 shows an urinal unit accessory 2 which has an accessory body 20 which is here configured as a garbage bin 2C. The garbage bin 2C has a hollow block-shaped accessory

-13- body 20 which is adapted for collecting garbage, like tissues etc. In a longitudinal section, the garbage bin has a shape which corresponds with the shape of an outer side face of the upstanding wall 12. Herewith, the garbage bin has an outer shape which can be aligned with the upstanding wall of the urinal unit 1.

Fig. 6 shows an urinal unit accessory 2 which has an accessory body 20 which is here configured as a handwash station 2B. At an upper region, the handwash station 2B has a sink and a water tap. At a lower region, the handwash station may have a foot pedal to operate the water tap.

The urinal unit accessories 2 as illustrated in figures 4-6 have some features in common. All accessory unit bodies 20 have a block-shaped lower portion 21. This lower portion 21 is sized in correspondence with a lower portion of the upstanding wall 12 of the unit body 10, such that each urinal unit accessory 2 can be aligned with each other and with the urinal unit 1 as shown in figures 1 and 2. In figure 1 and 13, only a single urinal unit accessory 2 is positioned in between 2 urinal units 1, but it is of course conceivable that an array of sanitation systems can be arranged in which each urinal unit 1 is combined with a reservoir, a hand wash station (as in Fig. 2) and/or a garbage bin. As shown in the fig. 2, for example, in between two urinal units 1, a reservoir 2A, a hand wash station 2B and a garbage bin 2C can be arranged. The modularity of the sanitation system 9 allows a high variety of arrangements. Preferably, in each arrangement, a urinal unit 1 is at least combined with a reservoir 2A, such that each urinal unit 1 has its own reservoir. Fig. 7-11 illustrate a major benefit provided by the sanitation system 9 according to an aspect of the invention is that each urinal unit accessory 2 fits in a urinal compartment 11 of the unit body 10 of the urinal unit 1 to obtain a transport assembly TA. As also shown in figures 4-6, each urinal unit accessory 2 has an accessory body 20 which is provided with a urinal recess 23. The urinal recess 23 is adapted for receiving the urinal 13 in the urinal compartment. The urinal recess 23 extends in a longitudinal direction from a bottom face about a distance at least equal to a height of the urinal 13 of the unit body 10, such that the urinal recess 23 fits over the urinal 13. In particular, the urinal recess 23 extends along the whole length of the accessory body 20 as shown in figures 5 and 6. As shown in fig. 7, when inserting the urinal unit accessory 2 into the urinal compartment 11, the urinal recess 23 is aligned with the urinal 13. In the transport assembly TA, when the

-14 - urinal unit accessory 2 is placed in the urinal compartment 11, the urinal recess 23 is facing the urinal 13.

Fig. 7-9 show how the urinal unit accessories 2 fit into the urinal compartments 11 of the unit body 10 of the urinal unit 1. The urinal unit accessories 2 are placed from above into the urinal compartments 11 to obtain a transport assembly TA. In the transport assembly TA, the at least one urinal unit accessory 2 is packed onto the urinal unit 1. The urinal unit accessories 2 are lowered -as indicated by the arrows in fig. 7- into the urinal compartments

11. After inserting the urinal unit accessory 2 into a urinal compartment 11, the urinal unit accessory 2 is supported by a floor area of the urinal compartment 11. The shape of each lower portion of each urinal unit accessory 2 substantially equals an inner shape of a lower region of each urinal compartment 11. Here, the footprint of each urinal unit accessory 2 substantially equals the floor area of the urinal compartment 11.

Advantageously, the packaging of the at least one urinal unit accessory 2 into a urinal compartment 11 provides a very compact configuration of the sanitation system 9 which is beneficial in transport. In addition, the corresponding shapes of the urinal unit accessory 2 and the inner shape of the urinal compartment 11 provides a maximum volume available to the urinal unit accessory 2 for storing or collecting water or other materials.

Fig. 10 and 11 show a cross-sectional view across a lower portion of the sanitation system 9. The urinal unit accessory 2 is placed on a floor area of an urinal compartment 11. The urinal unit accessory 2 has an accessory body 20 which has a rectangular, in particular square, cross-section. The urinal recess 23 is positioned at a first corner of the accessory body 20.

The remaining corners of the accessory body 20 are rounded. The accessory body 20 has an outer circumferential side which is sized to fit in between the urinal 13 and the left and right side wall 121, 122 forming the inner compartment 11.

Figures 9-11 show a further improvement in which at least one lock member 14, 24 is provided for locking the urinal unit accessory 2 to the urinal unit 1. The lock member 14, 24 prevent the urinal unit accessory 2 from falling sidewards out of the urinal compartment 11. The at least one lock member 14, 24 is beneficial in that additional tooling, e.g. a tension strap, to keep the urinal unit accessory 2 in the urinal compartment 11 is superfluous. Due to the at least one lock member 14, 24, the urinal unit accessory to is stably placed in the urinal compartment of the urinal unit 1.

-15- As shown in Fig. 9, the urinal unit accessory 2 fits by a form closure inside the urinal compartment. The form closure is provided by a compartment lock member 14. The compartment lock member 14 is integrally formed with a side wall of the urinal compartment

11. Here, as shown in Fig. 10, both sidewalls 121, 122 are each provided with respectively a first compartment lock member 141 and a second compartment lock member 142.

As shown in Fig. 11, the form closure can be provided by a compartment lock member 14 of the unit body 10 which cooperates with an accessory lock member 24 of the urinal unit accessory 2. The compartment lock member 14 and the accessory lock member 24 are complementary shaped. The compartment lock member 14 and the accessory lock member 24 together form a pair of a male and a female locking member.

Here, the compartment lock member 14 is formed as a male member by a lock ridge 140 which extends along the upstanding wall 12 in height direction. The compartment lock member 14 is integrally shaped with the unit body 10. Both the left and the ride side wall 121, 122 are each provided with such a compartment lock member 141, 142.

The accessory lock member 24 is positioned at a corner neighbouring the recessed corner of the accessory body 20. Two opposing corners of the accessory body 20 are provided with an accessory lock member 241, 242. Here, the accessory lock member 24 is a female lock member which is formed by a lock recess 241, 242 extending in a longitudinal direction of the accessory body 20. The accessory lock member 24 is integral shaped with the accessory body 20.

Fig. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the urinal unit 1. The urinal 13 has a urinal bowl opening 130 which functions as a compartment lock member 14. The urinal unit accessory 2 has an accessory body 20 which fits inside the urinal compartment 11. Here, the urinal unit accessory 2 is further provided with an accessory lock member 24. The accessory lock member 24 is formed as a male member. The accessory lock member 24 is downwardly protruding from an upper portion 22 of the accessory body 20. When inserting the urinal unit accessory to into the urinal compartment 11 by a downwardly directed movement, the accessory lock member 24 enters the urinal bowl opening 130. By receiving the accessory lock member 24 in the urinal bowl opening 130, the urinal unit accessory 2 becomes locked in a lateral direction.

Figures 13-17 show in further detail a combination of a reservoir 2A as shown in fig. 4 and at least one urinal unit 1 as shown in fig. 3. The reservoir 2A is positioned in between a first and

- 16 - second urinal unit 1. The reservoir 2A is positioned in an upright position and in an abutting engagement with a left sided positioned urinal unit and a right sided positioned urinal unit.

The reservoir 2A has a same height as the urinal unit 1. At the upper portion 22, the reservoir 2As coupled by a reservoir coupling member 293 to an adjacent urinal unit 1. The reservoir 2A is provided with a left and right coupling member 293. Each coupling member 293 is laterally protruding from the upper portion 22 of the reservoir.

Here, a plate shaped coupling member 293 is respectively positioned at a front and back side for interlocking the reservoir in between two neighbouring unit bodies.

Each coupling member 293 engages to an adjacent upstanding wall 12 of a unit body.

Other embodiments of the coupling member 293 are conceivable, e.g. a U-shaped coupling member, to engage with an adjacent unit body.

Herewith, the reservoir is stabilised in between the neighbouring unit bodies.

The reservoir 2A has an outer shape which can be aligned with the upstanding wall 12 of the urinal unit 1. In a longitudinal section, the reservoir has a shape which corresponds with a shape of an outer side face of the upstanding wall 12. As the upstanding wall 12, an upper region of the reservoir is also inclined, and a lower region of the reservoir is block-shaped.

Herewith, the reservoir can be aligned with the upstanding wall 12 of the urinal unit 1. The reservoir 2A contributes to an increase in privacy by creating a privacy shield together with a side wall 121 of the urinal unit.

Preferably, the reservoir 2A is mechanically connectable to the urinal unit 1. A connector element may be positioned at the top portion of the reservoir to connect the reservoir to the top portion of the upstanding wall 12. Fig. 14 and 15 show the combination of fig. 13 in a bottom view.

The reservoir 2A is a modular item of the sanitation system 9 which is connectable in fluid communication with the urinal unit by a conduit, in particular a drain hose 29. The drain hose 29 is a flexible conduit which may prevent connection failures due to movements of the sanitation system during use.

One end of the drain hose 29 is connectable at one side to the unit body 10, in particular to the platform 15. The other end of the drain hose 29 is connectable to a bottom region of the reservoir 2A.

Herewith, the externally positioned reservoir 2A is fluidly connectable to an internal reservoir of the unit body 10 to increase a total storage capacity of the sanitation system 9.

-17 - Fig. 16 shows an enlarged view of the drain hose 29 connectable to the platform 15 of the urinal unit 1. In between the forklift openings 151, the platform has a drain outlet 191 for draining stored liquid. The drain outlet 191 is situated in a drain recess 159. The drain outlet 191 is spaced at a distance from a side face of the upstanding wall 12, such that drain outlet 191 is positioned at a shielded place to prevent damage. Preferably, the drain outlet 191 comprises a valve which is openable by an insertion of the drain hose. Fig. 17 shows a connection of the reservoir 2A to the urinal unit 1 by connecting the drain hose 191 to a reservoir port 291. The reservoir port 291 is positioned close to a bottom face 201 of the reservoir. Preferably, the reservoir port 291 comprises a valve which is openable by an insertion of the drain hose. A disconnection of the drain hose 29 from either the drain outlet 191 or the reservoir port closes the valve to prevent spilling liquid. Herewith, the external reservoir 2A is connectable to the internal reservoir 19 of the urinal unit 1 according to the principle of communicating vessels. A liquid balances out to the same level in both containers provided by the internal and external reservoir 191,2A. Numerous variants are possible in addition to the embodiments shown in figures. In a variant of the illustrated embodiment of the urinal unit, the urinal unit may have only two or six urinal compartments instead of the four illustrated.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. It is intended that all such changes and modifications be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure and claims.

Thus, the invention provides a sanitation system and a method for transporting such a sanitation system comprising an urinal unit which has a unit body having at least one urinal compartment and at least one urinal unit accessory which has an accessory body. An outer shape of the accessory body is adapted to an inner shape of the inner compartment of the unit body. A close fit between the urinal unit accessory and the inner compartment of the unit body is obtainable to provide a stable transport assembly. Preferably, the urinal unit is provided with a compartment lock member and the urinal unit accessory is provided with a cooperating accessory lock member.

-18- Reference signs list: 142 second compartment lock member TA transport assembly 15 platform IS inner space 151 forklift opening FA floor area 159 drain recess FP footprint 30 19 internal reservoir 191 drain outlet 9 sanitation system 2 urinal unit accessory 1 urinal unit 2A reservoir 10 unit body 35 2B hand wash station 11 urinal compartment 2C garbage bin 111 first urinal compartment 112 second urinal compartment 20 accessory body 113 third urinal compartment 201 bottom face 114 fourth urinal compartment 40 21 lower portion 22 upper portion 12 upstanding wall 23 urinal recess 121 left sidewall 24 accessory lock member 122 right side wall 240 outer rounding 13 urinal 45 241 lock recess 130 urinal bowl opening 29 drain hose 14 compartment lock member 291 reservoir port 140 lock ridge 292 conduit cover 141 first compartment lock member

Claims

-19- CONCLUSIONS

Sanitary system (9) for temporarily providing at least one urinal (13), the sanitary system (2) comprising: - a urinal unit (1) comprising a unit body (10) with at least one urinal (13) wherein the unit body (10) has an upright wall (12) with left and right side walls (121,122) placed opposite each other and together defining an interior space (IS) forming a urinal compartment (11) for providing privacy to a user when in front of the urinal (13) is standing; and - at least one detachable urinal unit accessory (2), for example a reservoir (2A) or a hand washing station (2B), for use as a separate accessory in combination with the urinal unit (1), the urinal unit accessory (2) having an accessory body (20) having an outer shape that fits within the urinal compartment (11) of the unit body (10) of the urinal unit (1), wherein an outer shape of a low-lying portion (21) of the accessory body (20) is adapted to an inner shape of a low area of the urinal compartment (11), such that the urinal unit accessory (2) can be placed closely fitting in the urinal compartment (11) in order to obtain a stable transport assembly (TA) of the sanitary system (9) to prevent unwanted displacements of the at least one urinal unit accessory (2) in the urinal compartment.

The sanitary system (9) according to claim 1, wherein the outer shape of the lower part of the accessory body (20) is substantially equal to the inner shape of the lower part of the urinal compartment (11).

The plumbing system (9) according to claim 1, wherein at least two urinal unit accessories (2) are combined together to form an accessory assembly having a low-lying portion having an outer shape substantially similar to an inner shape of a low-lying area of the urinal compartment (11).

The sanitary system (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the urinal compartment (11) and the accessory body (20) has at least one locking member (14,24) about the accessory body (20) in the urinal compartment (11).

Sanitary system (9) according to contusion 4, wherein at least one accessory body (20) fits in the urinal compartment (11) of the unit body (10) with a positive fit.

-20-

A plumbing system (9) according to any one of claims 3-5, wherein the unit body {10) comprises a compartment locking member (14) for retaining the accessory body (20) in the urinal compartment (11).

Sanitary system (9) according to claim 8, wherein the compartment locking member (14) is integrally formed with the unit body (10), and in particular is integrally formed with the upright wall (12).

A plumbing system (9) according to claim 7, wherein the compartment locking member (14) is formed integrally with the urinal (13), in particular the urinal having a urinal bowl opening (130) that the compartment locking member (14) has. forms.

A plumbing system (9) according to any one of claims 4-8, wherein the accessory body (20) comprises an accessory locking member (24) for retaining the accessory body (20) in the urinal compartment (11).

The plumbing system (9) of claim 9, wherein the accessory locking member (24) is adapted to cooperate with the compartment locking member (14) in the transport assembly (TA) of the plumbing system (9) when the urinal unit accessory is in the urinal compartment (11) is in place.

The plumbing system (9) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the accessory locking member {24) is integrally formed with the accessory body (20).

A plumbing system (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accessory body (20) has an outer side provided with a urinal recess (23) for receiving the urinal (13) when the accessory body is in the urinal compartment (11). ) is placed.

The plumbing system of claim 8, wherein the urinal (13) has a urinal pot opening (130) forming the compartment locking member (14) and wherein the accessory locking member (24) is configured as a male locking member to fit in the urinal jar opening (130).

A plumbing system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compartment locking member (14) is formed complementary to the accessory locking member (24), in particular the compartment locking member (14) and

-21- the accessory locking member (24) together form a pair of a male and a female locking member.

Sanitary system (9) according to claim 14, wherein the compartment locking member (14) is a male locking member which is passed through a projection, in particular a locking edge (140) in the urinal compartment (11), in particular at the at least one of the side walls (121, 120) or the urinal (13) is formed.

A plumbing system (9) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the accessory locking member (24) is a female locking member formed by a locking recess (241) on an outer circumferential side of the accessory body (20).

A plumbing system (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accessory body (20) is a reservoir (2A) for storing a volume of liquid outside the unit body (10), the reservoir having a hollow reservoir body comprising at least one reservoir passage (291) for fluid communication from the reservoir to the urinal unit.

A sanitary system (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accessory body (20) is a hand washing station (2B) for washing hands, the hand washing station comprising a wash basin on top of a supporting body.

A sanitary system (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accessory body (20) comprises a waste bin (2C) for collecting waste, the waste bin comprises a bin positioned in particular on top of a support body.

A plumbing system (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accessory body (20) comprises a conduit cover for covering a conduit extending from the unit body (10).

A urinal unit (1) according to a sanitary system (9) according to any one of claims 1-20, wherein the urinal unit (1) comprises a unit body (10) formed by an upright wall (12) with at least two side walls facing each other. (121,122) forming an interior space (IS) between said side walls, the interior space defining a urinal compartment (11) for a user to stand in front of a urinal (13), the unit body (10) further defining at least one locking member {14 ) for holding a urinal unit comprises an accessory (2) in a urinal compartment.

22.

A urinal unit (1) according to claim 21, wherein at least one compartment locking member (14) is non-detachably connected to the unit body (10).

A urinal unit accessory (2) for a sanitary system (9), in particular a reservoir (2A) or a hand washing station (2B), according to any one of claims 1-20, wherein the urinal unit accessory (2) comprises an accessory body with a low-lying portion (21) with an outer shape that corresponds to an inner shape of a urinal compartment (11) of an associated urinal unit (1), such that the accessory body {20) can be placed in the urinal compartment (11) about a transport assembly (TA) to obtain.

A sanitary room comprising at least one sanitary system (9) according to any one of claims 1-20.

A sanitary space according to claim 24, wherein the sanitary space comprises a row of urinal units (1), wherein at least one urinal unit accessory (2) is positioned between adjacent urinal units (1), wherein at least one urinal unit accessory (2), in particular shaped as an external reservoir (2A), is positioned against a side of a urinal unit (1), such that a sanitary wall is formed.

A method of transporting a sanitary system (9) comprising the steps of: - providing a sanitary system according to any one of claims 1-20, wherein the sanitary system comprises a urinal unit {1} comprising a unit body (10) with at least one urinal compartment (11), preferably provided with a compartment locking member (14), and at least one urinal unit accessory (2) with an accessory body (20), preferably provided with an accessory locking member (24), wherein an outer shape the accessory body (20) is adapted to an inner shape of the urinal compartment (11) of the unit body (10) such that a close fit between the urinal unit accessory and the urinal compartment of the unit body is obtainable; - placing the accessory body (20) in the urinal compartment (11) to obtain a transport assembly (TA) of the sanitary system.

The method of claim 26 further comprising a step of: - locking the urinal unit accessory (2) to the urinal unit (1) using at least one compartment locking member (14) or an accessory locking member (24 ).